Latest news with #nikel
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Indonesia to sanction companies for environmental breaches at nickel industrial park
The Indonesian Government is set to impose sanctions on companies for environmental violations at the Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), a major hub for the country's nickel production, according to a report by Bloomberg. The Ministry of Environment has cited issues such as poor wastewater management, air pollution and the use of unlicensed tailing areas. These sanctions will include government directives and fines for those found to be in breach of environmental laws. The IMIP, which houses numerous nickel smelters, will face a comprehensive audit as part of the government's crackdown. Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement Rizal Irawan was quoted as saying: 'Sanctions on IMIP will be in the form of government directives and fines on companies proven to have violated laws." This move represents a rare but decisive step by the Indonesian Government to address the environmental impact of its rapidly expanding nickel industry. The nickel industry in Indonesia, which contributes more than half of global production, has been under scrutiny for its environmental footprint and safety concerns. The sector, predominantly owned by Chinese interests, has been rapidly growing this decade. Tsingshan Holding Group, a Chinese metals conglomerate, controls the IMIP, which has received investment of more than $30bn. Located on Sulawesi Island, the industrial park spans 2,000 hectares and employs more than 100,000 individuals. In April, the IMIP experienced a suspension of operations and increased scrutiny regarding its nickel extraction methods after a landslide. The incident sparked concerns regarding the safety of high-pressure acid leaching techniques employed in nickel extraction at the park. In a related development, the Indonesian Government recently revoked mining permits for four nickel ore companies in the Raja Ampat region. This decision followed extensive protests over environmental damage in the area, known for its exceptional marine biodiversity and status as a UNESCO Global Geopark. "Indonesia to sanction companies for environmental breaches at nickel industrial park" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
CTV News
10-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Indonesia stops nickel mining operations at top tourist diving destination
Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia speaks to the media during a press conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian government announced Tuesday they had suspended four nickel mining operations in Raja Ampat, one of the country's top tourist destinations for diving and snorkeling. 'Starting today, the government has revoked four mining operation permits in Raja Ampat,' Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia told reporters after a Cabinet meeting in the presidential palace in the capital, Jakarta. Raja Ampat, an archipelagic regency in Southwest Papua province, is spread over nearly 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles) and is home to 75% of the world's coral species and more than 1,600 fish species. It is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark which includes marine conservation zones managed by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Lahadalia said the decision came after an investigation by the Ministry of Environment uncovered 'several violations in the environmental context' by four companies holding mining permits in Raja Ampat. None of the four companies had started nickel operations as they failed to gain government approval for their Work Plan and Expenditure Budget, Lahadalia said. Last week, Greenpeace Indonesia and Papuan Youth staged a peaceful protest during the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo. They demanded the closure of five nickel mining companies operating in Raja Ampat, including PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-owned mining company PT Aneka Tambang. The government suspended nickel mining operations at four of the five companies. The fifth, Gag Nikel, has been allowed to continue its operations on Gag Island as it lies outside the geopark area, Lahadalia said. Gag Island is about 42 kilometers (26 miles) west of Piyanemo, a popular diving spot in Raja Ampat. Gag Nikel has a concession area of 130 square kilometers (50 square miles). It produced around 3 million wet metric tons of nickel in 2024, and is expected to produce the same amount in 2025 and 2026. Lahadalia said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed him, along with ministers for the environment and forestry, to closely monitor Gag Nikel's mining operation. 'We are really serious in our intent to protect the environment in Raja Ampat,' Lahadalia said. 'We want to produce nickel that is environmentally friendly and acceptable (to the world's standard).' Indonesia has the largest nickel reserves in the world and aims to dominate global nickel supply. Its nickel ore lies in shallow deposits, easily accessible when the rainforest is cut down. In 2023, the country was responsible for more than half the supply of nickel globally. The country has gone from having two nickel smelters to 27 over the last decade and plans to open 22 more, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. Nickel was once known mainly for making stainless steel, but demand has skyrocketed as automakers like Tesla use it to make electric vehicle batteries and larger battery makers use it in clean electricity projects. Rapid growth of Indonesia's nickel industry has already led to environmental degradation across several regions on Sulawesi Island, said Greenpeace forest campaigner Iqbal Damanik. 'Now nickel mining is also threatening Raja Ampat, a place that is often called the last paradise on Earth,' Damanik said. Over 500 hectares of forest and vegetation have been cleared for nickel mines on the West Papua islands of Gag, Kawe and Manuran, according to Greenpeace Indonesia. The three islands are classified as small islands. Indonesia's law on the management of coastal areas and small islands prohibits mining as it could lead to soil runoff and sedimentation that endangers coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Niniek Karmini, The Associated Press
Zawya
28-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Indonesia sovereign wealth funds and France's Eramet to create platform to invest in nickel-based industry
Indonesia's sovereign wealth funds, Danantara and the Indonesia Investment Authority, and French miner Eramet said on Wednesday they have agreed to create a platform to invest in nickel-based industry. Danantara and INA will manage funding for the nickel investment while Eramet is expected to provide technical expertise on mining, they said in a joint statement. (Reporting by Gayatri Suroyo, Ananda Teresia; Editing by Martin Petty)
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
In Indonesia, nickel miners warn of mass lay-offs as royalty rise threatens profits
Indonesia 's move to raise royalties on lucrative commodities offers an opportunity for the global nickel powerhouse to boost state revenue and fund President Prabowo Subianto 's ambitious flagship programmes. But it is facing resistance from mining groups. Advertisement The new royalty structure, implemented at the end of April, affects minerals including nickel, copper, tin, gold and bauxite. Nickel royalties, for example, have risen from a flat rate of 10 per cent to a range of 14 to 19 per cent. Mining industry leaders warn that the increase could cut into profits and disrupt operations. Indonesian officials, however, say the policy will ultimately benefit Southeast Asia's largest economy and make investments in the commodities sector more sustainable. Cecep Mochammad Yasin, director of mineral business development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, called it 'a critical step towards ensuring that our natural resources give optimum benefits to all Indonesians'. Indonesia holds the world's largest proven nickel reserves and has focused on leveraging the commodity, vital for producing stainless steel and EV batteries, to strengthen its manufacturing sector. The approach has spurred billions of dollars in investment in recent years, primarily from Chinese firms such as steelmaker Tsingshan and battery giant CATL. An aerial view of nickel mining in Indonesia's Raja Ampat Islands. Photo: Auriga Nusantara Today, Indonesia leads the global nickel mining and smelting industry, producing nearly half of the world's refined nickel and two-thirds of its mined nickel, primarily on the islands of Sulawesi and Maluku.
